English
EspañolWho do I notify if I think the abuser should not have a gun?
If you think the abuser broke a state gun law, you can call the local police, the sheriff’s department, or the State Police.
If you think the abuser broke a federal gun law, you can contact the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). There are several different ways to do this:
- The ATF has a hotline for reporting illegal gun activity at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867).
- The ATF also has both an app and a website to allow people to submit anonymous tips. There is more information on their website.
- There is a list of ATF field offices in Kentucky on the ATF website if you would like to speak to someone local.
Many ATF offices have victim advocates, called “victim/witness coordinators.” You can ask to speak with one of these advocates if you are having a hard time reaching an ATF officer.
A domestic violence organization in your area may also be able to answer your questions and help you talk to the right law enforcement officials. You can find contact information for organizations in your area on our Kentucky Advocates and Shelters page.
Note: Generally, a person does not need to know the law to be arrested for breaking it. If the abuser has or buys a gun in violation of the law, s/he can be arrested, whether or not s/he knows that s/he broke the law.1
1 United States v. Lippman, 369 F. 3d 1039 (8th Cir. 2004); United States v. Henson, 55 F. Supp. 2d 528 (S.D. W.V. 1999)
¿Qué pasará si el agresor intenta comprar un arma?
Antes de comprar un arma de fuego de un/a vendedor/a licenciado/a, todos los/las compradores/as deben someterse a un chequeo de antecedentes penales realizado por el Sistema Nacional de Chequeo Instantáneo de Antecedentes Penales (“National Instant Criminal Background Check System,” o “NICS” por sus siglas en inglés). El Sistema Nacional de Chequeo Instantáneo de Antecedentes Penales es utilizado por los/as licenciatarios/as federales de armas de fuego (“FFLs,” por sus siglas en inglés) para determinar de forma instantánea si alguien es elegible para recibir explosivos o armas de fuego.1 Si el/la agresor/a tiene una orden de protección calificada en su contra o, si ha sido sentenciado/a por un delito grave o un delito menos grave por violencia doméstica intrafamiliar en cualquier estado, esos registros deben estar en el NICS, lo cual debería imposibilitarle a el/la agresor/a comprar un arma de fuego. No todos los estados tienen un sistema automatizado de registro, lo que dificulta el proceso de verificación de antecedentes penales, por lo tanto, algunos criminales y agresores/as logran burlar el sistema. También es importante saber que no se necesita una verificación de antecedentes penales para ventas privadas y a través del Internet.
Si el/la agresor/a pudo comprar un arma y usted entiende que él/ella no debe tener una legalmente, usted puede avisarle a la policía y pedir que le quiten el arma y quizás ellos/as lo/a investigarán. Generalmente no es buena idea asumir que porque el/la agresor/a pudo comprar un arma, es legal que la tenga.
What is the penalty for violating the state or federal firearm laws?
Under Kentucky state law, if a convicted felon has a handgun in his/her possession, s/he can be charged with a Class C felony.1 If a person is convicted of a Class C felony, s/he can be sentenced to:
- between five and ten years in prison;
- pay a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000; or
- both, prison time and a fine.2
Possession of any other firearm by a convicted felon is a Class D felony.1 It’s also a Class D felony if a person who knows that it’s against the law for him/her to have a firearm:
- provides materially false information to a licensed dealer or private seller; or
- otherwise tries to persuade the dealer or seller to transfer a firearm to him/her.3
If a person is convicted of a Class D felony, s/he can be sentenced to:
- between one and five years in prison;
- a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000; or
- both, prison time and a fine.4
Also, anyone who owns, has or buys a gun in violation of the federal firearm law can be punished by a fine, up to ten years in prison, or both.5 Go to our Federal Gun Laws page for more information.
1 Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 527.040(2)
2 Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 532.060(2)(c); 534.030(1)
3 Ky. Rev. Stat. § 527.090
4 Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 532.060(2)(d); 534.030(1)
5 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(2)
